Draft:Rob Reiner's unrealized projects

The following is a list of unproduced Rob Reiner projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, filmmaker Rob Reiner has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.

untitled Angela Davis biopic
On February 22, 1993, Reiner was set to produce and possibly direct a Angela Davis biopic, with Lynn Whitfield set to portray Davis and produce with Martin Schaffer through Castle Rock Entertainment.

untitled thriller
On August 26, 1999, Reiner was set to direct an original thriller about 2 high school students who commit a series of perfectly planned murders and then attempt to thwart an FBI agent working her first field case, with Tony Gayton writing the screenplay and Richard Crystal producing with Reiner through Castle Rock Entertainment.

The Polar Express movie
On October 30, 2000, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s picture book The Polar Express with Tom Hanks set to star in and produce the film, which became Robert Zemeckis’ first cgi-movie.

Everyday Life TV pilot/series
On February 29, 2004, Reiner was set to executive produce, star in and direct Everyday Life, an improv comedy series about a family of psychologistss for NBC.

Whiskey River
On August 28, 2005, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Jim Webb’s medical drama Whiskey River with John Patrick Shanley writing the screenplay and Alan Greisman and Webb producing with Reiner and distributed by Warner Bros.

Travel Writing
On October 16, 2008, Reiner was set to direct the movie adaptation of Marc Shaiman’s novel Travel Writing with Lou Berney writing the screenplay, and Alan Greisman and Reiner producing through Castle Rock and Warner Bros set to distribute the movie.

Basket Case TV series adaptation
On December 11, 2013, Reiner was set to direct & produce the television series adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s novel Basket Case with Alex Taub attached to write the series for Spike TV.

The Tap TV series
On August 13, 2014, Reiner was set to direct the pilot of Aaron Tracy and Andrew Lenchewski’s Yale University thriller television series The Tap for USA Network with Reiner producing the series, along with Alan Greisman, Charlie Ebersol, Lenchewski and Tracy through Universal Cable Productions. On August 8, 2016, The Tap got a pilot order from USA Network, but on June 19, 2017, The Tap pilot was passed over.

The Global War on Morris TV series adaptation
On February 9, 2015, Reiner was set to direct & produce the comedy television series adaptation of Steve Israel’s novel The Global War on Morris with Andrew Lenchewski attached to write the series for USA Network.

The Shawshank Redemption film adaptation
In the 1990’s, Reiner offered to be the alternate director of Frank Darabont’s screenplay The Shawshank Redemption, adapted from Stephen King’s short story Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, but Darabont stayed on.

Harry Potter film adaptation
On September 22, 1999, Reiner was offered to direct J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, along with Chris Columbus who would eventually direct the first 2 movies.